With much of Puerto Rico without power, short of fuel and with limited access to clean water, the U.S. may see a large influx of evacuees from Puerto Rico. Authorities on the island are trying to rebuild an already fragile infrastructure struck by Hurricane Maria. Video posted Sept. 28, 2017, by Jennifer Sangalang, FLORIDA TODAY
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Hurricane Maria destroyed this gas station in Puerto Rico.(Photo11: Special to The News-Press)

A local relief effort to aid victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and earthquakes in Mexico got a major boost Thursday with a $10,000 donation combined with a statewide challenge to gather more funds.

Israel Suarez, founder and creator of the Nations Association charity, gathered members of local clergy, area Hispanic associations and others to formally start a plan to collect cash to help those who were victimized by the two natural disasters.

The Suarez-led effort is one of several based locally. An association of Hispanic doctors is collecting supplies earmarked for eventual distribution on the island nation and U.S. territory.

Marcus Goodson, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers, kicked off the Puerto Rican relief effort at a press conference at the Nations Associations's headquarters on Palm Beach Boulevard, by announcing the non-profit housing authority was contributing $10,000.

"I have challenged my colleagues in the state of Florida to raise $50,000," he said. "I believe we can do more than that. We're going to do what we can."

The Housing Authority provides or subsidizes affordable housing in Lee County and the city of Fort Myers.

Suarez, 73, who was in Puerto Rico days before Maria hit the island nation to bury his 100-year-old mother who died Sept. 8, said he was planning on taking whatever cash was collected to Puerto Rico within the next few weeks.

"That will help a lot," he said of the donation. Suarez said that getting supplies to Puerto Rico is a problem due to fees and other rules and that cash is the best way to help the island's residents.

Suarez said hoped to make the trip within two weeks and would take local media representatives along to document exactly where the cash goes.

"It's a moral responsibility," he said. "We want them to see where the money goes."

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People walk next to a gas station flooded and damaged by the impact of Hurricane Maria, which hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. CARLOS GIUSTI/AP

Rescue personnel from the Emergency Management Agency drive through a flooded road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, September 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. CARLOS GIUSTI/AP

Electricity poles and lines lay toppled on the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. CARLOS GIUSTI/AP

A family helps clean the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, September 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. CARLOS GIUSTI/AP

A man looks out of a door of a boarded up gas starion after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, September 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. CARLOS GIUSTI/AP

People walk through a flooded area after the impact of Hurricane Maria, which hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, September 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. CARLOS GIUSTI/AP

A boy plays at a flooded playground close to a shelter, while Hurricane Maria approaches the coast of Bavaro, Dominican Republic, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Maria has lost its major hurricane status, after raking Puerto Rico. But forecasters say some strengthening is in the forecast and Maria could again become a major hurricane by Thursday. TATIANA FERNANDEZ/AP

"Israel Suarez is the conscience of the community," he said, prompting laughter when he added, "I brought a check. Whenever Israel invites you, you bring a check."

Pastor Carlos Trabal of the Pentacostal Church of God in Fort Myers said a container will be established at his church at 1091 Ortiz Avenue to collect supplies bound for those victimized by earthquakes in Mexico.

Trabal also has relatives in Puerto Rico and has not been able to reach them.

"I've been in touch with pastors," he said. "It's very devastating."

People sit on both sides of a destroyed bridge that crossed over the San Lorenzo de Morovis river, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Morovis, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. A week since the passing of Maria many are still waiting for help from anyone from the federal or Puerto Rican government. But the scope of the devastation is so broad, and the relief effort so concentrated in San Juan, that many people from outside the capital say they have received little to no help. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)(Photo11: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)

Another group making plans to assist relief efforts is the Hispanic American Doctors Association of SWF, organized by Dr. Claribel Bocanegra. The group has joined forces with United for Puerto Rico and organized a collection effort of supplies and necessities.

"Most of our members came from Puerto Rico," she said. "We have connections with hospitals there and have family still there."